Locking means for draft key retainers



March 1, 1936- v. H. HARBERT LOCKING MEANS FOR DRAFT KEY RETAINERS Filed Dec. 8, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 31,1936.

v. H. H ARBERT LOCKING MEANS FOR DRAFT KEY RETAINERS Filed Dec. 8, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 31, 1936 STATE PATENT OFFICE LOCKING MEANS FOR DRAFT KEY RETAINERS Application December 8, 1934, Serial No. 756,656

7 Claims.

My invention relates to means whereby the retainers or pins, employed for maintaining the draft keys in proper position, will be locked against removal and loss; the invention having for its object the provision of substantial means adapted to be employed with the standard type of draft keys and which will not interfere with the required freedom and movement on the part of the draft keys.

My invention contemplates means which will eliminate the use of the cotter-pins usually employed for holding the retainers or headed pins in the draft keys and which, in service, frequently become battered and sheared off through re- 5 peated contact with the center or draft sills of a railroad car underframe; the invention contemplating a retainer pin or plug of construction adapted to receive my improved locking means arranged to be used in the standard sized hole arranged in the tail end of the draft key.

The objects and advantages of my invention will be more readily comprehended from the detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a part of a draft rigging of a railroad car and employing my invention; portions of the rigging being broken away and shown in section.

Figure 2 is an end view of a draft key with my improved retainer and locking means.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 with the locking means in full lines and its initial condition indicated in dotted lines.

v Figure 4 is a similar view showing a modification of locking means and with its initial condition shown in dotted lines.

Figure 5 is a sectional plan View taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 4 looking in 4 the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a plan View of the tail end of a draft key with retainer and a modified form of locking means.

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 1-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a. sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure 7 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the type of retainer employed in the modification shown in Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the type of locking means employed with the retainer of Fig- 5 ure 9, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 11 is a vertical section of the tail end of a draft key with another modified form of retainer and locking means.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the locking means disclosed in Figure 11 with a. portion bro- 5 ken away and in section.

The draft key of the draft rigging of a railroad car is generally secured in place by means of the head at one end of the key while the tail end is provided with a hole adapted to receive a stand- 10 ard size retainer pin or plug which also has a head at the upper end while the lower end protruding beneath the key is apertured to receive a cotter pin. Due to the constant shifting of the draft keys the retainer pins or plugs are fre quently brought into contact with the center sills or draft sills of the car underframe with the result that the cotter pins are battered into unserviceable condition and soon become broken, thus allowing the retainer pins or plugs to work upwardly and out of the hole in the tail end of the draft key.

My invention contemplates means which will lock the retainer pins or plugs against upward movement while at the same time in no way 25 interfering with the proper movement of the draft key and which, in conjunction with a special retainer pin, is adapted to be inserted in the standard size hole of the draft key.

In the first three figures of the drawings, 30 I show application of one form of my invention to the draft keys 15 which are disposed through suitable sized slots in the coupler shank l6, yoke members I1, I! and the center sills H! which may or may not be provided with cheek plates as at 35 I9; the draft keys at one of their ends having the usual heads at 20 while the tail ends are each provided with a uniform or standard sized hole as at 2| in Figure 3 and in dotted lines in Figure 2.. The hole 2| is intended to receive a retainer pin or plug 22 which must be of considerable thickness to withstand shearing strains.

In order to permit use with the standard sized hole in the draft key, one side of the retainer pin or plug 22 is provided with a channel 23 extending throughout the length of the shank of the retainer pin or plug as well as transversely of the head portion 22 of the retainer pin or plug. That is to say, the retainer pin or plug on a side coincident with the longitudinal side of the head 22 is provided with the groove or channel 23, as shown in Figure 2.

This channel or groove 23 is made of predetermined depth to receive the locking element 24 whose body portion 25 on its outer surface is made arcuate and said portion when seated in the channel or groove forming a complementary segment of the round shank of the retainer pin or plug and with the shank of the pin or plug being adapted to fit into and substantially fill the standard hole of the draft key. The locking element 24 at it lower end is formedwith an outwardly or laterally disposed ear or lobe 26 and this locking element 24 at a point spaced from the lower lobe or ear 26, a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the draft key 15 and disposed in the same direction, is: provided with another lobe or ear 21. The ear or lobe 27 is formed at a distance removed from the upper end of the locking element 24; the upper end initially extending upwardly as shown indotted lines at 28 in Figure 3; I

In order to apply my improved locking means to the draft key, it is necessary to first insertthelocking element 24 into the hole 2| of the draftkey with the arcuate surface of the body and the lobes or ears 23 and 21 disposed toward the tail end of the draft key IS. The retainer pin or plug 22 is' then inserted by bringing its channeled or grooved side into register with the locking element 24 which will allow the retainer pin or plug to pass through the hole of the draft key until its elongated head 22 rests on top of the draft key l5.

In order to lock the retainer pin or plug against any upward movement, the extreme upper end 28 of the locking element 24 is then bent laterally across the head of the retainer pin or plug as shown at 29' in Figure 3; such bending being accomplished by hammer blows; it being understood that the locking element 24 is made of bendable steel.

It is apparent from the construction described and as shown, that the lobes or ears 26 and 21 willprevent the locking element 24 moving vertically and that after the top end 28 has been bent laterally as shown at 29 it is then impossible for the' retainer pin or plugto move upwardly.

In order to remove the pin or plug, it would be necessary to bend the end- 29 upwardly into the position shown in dotted lines at 2 8" which will allow the retainer pin or plug to be lifted vertically out of the hole in the draft key thereby releasing the locki'ng element 24'.

In Figures 4 and 5, I show a modification of my improved locking means adapted; for use with the standard sized hole 2| in the draft key I51 The modification contemplates the use 'of'a similar retainer pin or plug 22 like that previously shown and described whose shank is provided with the longitudinal channel or slot 23 extending from end to end and transversely of one of the longitudinal sides of the elongated head 22 In this construction, the locking element shown at 30 is in the nature of a fiat strip of steel of suitable length adapted to be inserted lengthwise in the channel or groove 23 so as to have one ;end disposed beneath the draft key l5 while the upper end extends into a plane suiiiciently above the top of the head 22 of the retainer pin or plug 22, with the ends bent in opposite directions as shown at 3| and at 32. In practice, the lower end of the element 30 may initially be bent as shown at 3| and the element inserted upwardly through the hole in the draft key and lengthwise in the groove or channel 23 of the retainer pin or plug with the upper end initially disposed vertically as indicated in dotted lines at 33 in Figure 4. The retainer element 30 is held in place with the lower bent end 3| substantially in contact with the lower face of the draft key l5 and the upstanding portion 33 then bent laterally, by means of hammer blows, across the top of the head 22 of the retainer pin or plug 22, as shown at 32 in Figure 4.

In Figures 6 to 10, inclusive, I'illustrate a further modification'of retainer locking means employing a special type of retainer pin or plug to-be used in conjunction with a draft key l5 having the standard sized hole 2 I. The modification involves a retainer pin or plug 34, the shank whereof has one side or segmental portion cut away or flattened asshown at 35, see Figure 9; while'the head-33cm the same side, namely one of the longitudinal sides of the head, is cut away or socketed to the same degree or depth as the shank.

Thecutaway or socket in the side of the head 36'has the lower end 31 of greater width, transversely of the retainer pin, than the upper end 38, providing the shouldered portion 39; while the side. walls of the socket: preferably flare or slope outwardly.

The cutaway segmental portion of the pinshank and the socket of the head are intended to receive the complementary member 40 shown in Figure 10 in its initial condition. This member 4!) is of substantially the same width as the flat face 35 of the pin shank; and one side 4| of the main body portion of member 40 is preferably made arcuate so as to fill in the remainder of the hole in the draft-key after the shank of the retainer pin 34 has been inserted in place.

The member 40, at its lower end, is shown enlarged to provide the laterally extending shoulders 42, 42; andat an intermediate point isshown enlarged'transversely to provide the laterally disposed shoulders 43, 43; the shoulders 42 and 43 being spaced vertically apart a distance sufficient to receive the draft key wall of" the opening 2| therebetween. That is to say, the shoulders 42,

42 are intended'to engage the lower face of the draft key l5 while shoulders 43, 43 engage the upper face of the draft key, which will prevent vertical movement ofthe member 43 after the pin or plug 34 has also been inserted into the draft key hole 2|; and on the other hand the shoulders 43 will also engage beneath the shoulders 39 in the socket of the head of the pin or plug 34 and effect a cooperating relation with the pin or plug.

The enlarged or should-er providing portion 43 which seats in the enlarged end 31 of the socket in the head 36 is preferably made substantially fiat so as to extend substantially flush with the fiat longitudinal side ofthe' head 33 of the retainer pin 34, as more clearly shown in Figure 6,

with the result that there are no portions at the upper end of the pin or plugto extend beyond the side of the head 36 where they would be apt to be brought into forcible contact with the draft sills when the retainer pin or plug rotates about its axis as is sometimes the case during car-operation; the shoulders 43", 43 being disposed in the .end 31 of the socket will prevent their becoming battered through contact with the draft sills;

The upstanding end 44 of member 40' is preferably made somewhat narrower than the body portion of the member so-as to fit in the upper narrower end 38 of the socket in the head and to also extend upwardly beyond the head 36 of the retainer pin or plug 34.

In practice, the member40 is .fi-rst inserted into the hole 2| in the draft key with the shoulders 42, 42 in engagement with the bottom face of the draft key and shoulders 43, 43 in engagement with the upper face of the draft key, thereby properly positioning the member. The retainer pin or plug 34 is then inserted through the upper end of the hole 2| in the draft key so that the elongated head 36 rests on the upper face of the draft key as shown in Figure 6; the pin or plug 34 being inserted with its fiat face 35 disposed toward the rear flat side of the member 4|.

This causes the shoulders 43, 43 to become seated in the lower enlarged end 31 of the socket in the head 36, providing an interengaging relation between the pin or plug and the member 40. The upper end of top portion 44 is then bent across the top of the head 36 as shown at 45 in Figure 7, thereby locking the retainer pin or plug 34 against upward movement because the shoulders 42, 42, engaging the draft key, will prevent upward movement of the composite retainer.

In Figures 11 and 12 a still further modification is shown to be employed in the standard sized hole in the draftkey I 5. In this construction the retainer pin or plug 46, like pin or plug 34, has one side of the shank portion longitudinally cut away to provide a flat surface; the cutaway extending from the lower end of the pin or plug 46 and partly into the head 41 so as to provide the shoulder e8. The shank of the pin or plug adjacent the lower end and on the flat side is also provided with a notch formed to produce an upwardly facing shoulder 49.

This flat side or segmentally cutaway portion of the pin or plug is intended to receive the complementary member 50 shown in perspective in Figure 12. The rear side of member 50 is made flat to match the fiat side of the pin or plug, while the forward side of the body portion is arcuate; the member is preferably of bendable metal and initially is bowed or bent at the lower end in the direction of the outer side as shown in Figure 12 and in dotted lines in Figure 11.

The upper end is enlarged to provide the trans versely disposed flat faced head or shoulder portion 5|; while the lower end is also enlarged to provide the transversely disposed portion 52 whereby upwardly facing shoulders are provided to engage the lower face of the draft key. The lower end on the rear side is reduced to provide the downwardly facing shoulder 53.

In assembling, the member 50 is first inserted into the hole in the draft key l5, with the arcuate side against the curved wall of the hole, thus causing the upper face of the shoulders formed by enlarged portion 52 to engage beneath the draft key, while the shoulders of portion 5| will engage the upper face of the draft key. The retainer pin or plug 46 is then inserted in the draft key hole with its fiat face or side disposed toward the rear flat side of member 50. This causes the portion 48 of the pin head 41 to overhang the upper end of member 50. The lower bent end of member 59 is then bent rearward toward the pin 41%, causing the shoulder 53 on the rear side of member 56 to engage the shoulder 49 of the pin shank. It is apparent that the enlargement 52 will engage with the lower face of the draft key and prevent upward movement of member 50, while the abutting portions or shoulders 49 and 53 will prevent upward movement of the retainer pin or plug, and as a result the retainer will be securely locked in place against accidental displacement.

I have shown different exemplifications of my.

invention, wherein that portion of the locking mechanism which extends within the hole in the draft key constitutes a complementary part of the retainer pin to fit within the hole and have described them in terms employed for purposes of description and not as terms of limitation as modifications may be made without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. Retainer locking means of the character describer comprising a pin of predetermined dimensions and provided with an elongated head, one side of the pin being cut away lengthwise, said pin being adapted to extend through the retainer receiving hole in a draft key; and a single piece complementary member adapted to be inserted in the draft key hole and extend lengthwise of the cut away portion of the pin and conjointly with the pin fill the draft key hole, said member having laterally disposed shoulders at spaced apart points beneath the upper end of the member adapted to engage with the upper and the lower faces of the draft key while the upper end of the member is adapted to be bent across the head of the pin, whereby the relation with the draft key is maintained and upward movement of the pin prevented.

2. Retainer locking means of the character described comprising, in combination with a draft key provided with a standard sized retainer re- 1 ceiving hole, a retainer pin or plug of predetermined dimensions having a head at one end and adapted to be inserted in the draft key hole while the head rests on the draft key, said pin along one side and transversely of one side of the head being cut away; and an elongated member formed to match the cutaway side of the pin and provided with a draft key engaging shoulder at its lower end whereby vertical movement of said member is prevented, while the upper end of the head contact portion is bendable across the top of the pin whereby vertical movement of the pin is prevented.

3. Retainer locking means of the character described comprising, in combination with a draft key provided with a retainer receiving round hole; a retainer pin or plug substantially cylindrical and provided at one end with an enlarged head, one side of the pin or plug being segmentally reduced; and a complementary member adapted to extend parallel with the segmentally reduced side of the pin or plug, said member having a portion disposed laterally beyond the perimeter of the hole whereby the member is held against vertical movement and a bendable portion adapted to be bent into retainer pin locking position; the pin or plug and said member being insertable into the hole in the draft key.

4. Retainer locking means of the character described comprlsing, in combination with a draft key provided with a retainer receiving hole, a two part retainer element combinedly of transverse dimensions substantially equal to the diameter of said hole, one part having an elongated head adapted to rest on the draft key to prevent vertical displacement of said part and a second part provided with laterally disposed draft key engaging shoulders for contact with both the upper and the lower faces of the draft key and with a portion disposed adjacent a longitudinal side of the head of the first part, said second part also having an upper bendable portion adapted to be bent into holding relation with the head of the first mentioned part of said two part element whereby vertical movement of both parts is prevented.

4 agosassa 5.; Lockingmeans: of the character described comprising, in combination witha draft key'providedtwith a; retainer: receiving hole; a; main re tainer 1 element and; a locking element; the two elements concentrically fitting into said'hole and substantially filling the same, the two. elements being so associated: that independent rotation of either-element in said hole is impossible; the retainer element at one end having aiheadiwhereby downward vertical movement out'of said hole is prevented, while the. locking element has laterally extending-portions adapted to. engage. the draft key and prevent upward. vertical movement of saidgelement, said element also having a laterally bendable portion adapted to be bent into the vertical plane of the retainer element and thereby prevent upward vertical movement of said retainer element.

6. Retainer locking, means of the character described comprising, in combination with a draft key provided with a-hole-therethrough, a retainerpin adapted to. extend through said hole, the upper end of the retainer pinb'eing provided with'a head of size larger than said hole, one side of the retainer pin and its head being provided with a channel extending to the lower end of the retainer pin; a complementary member adapted to seat in said channel, formed tobfe disposed within the circumferential plane of the shank of the. retainer pin and provided at the lower end and at an intermediate point with shoulders extendingv laterally beyond the circumferential plane of the retainer pin, said shoulders being spaced apart sozasztofengage: with the upperand lower'faces of the draftkey; the upper: end of said member being bendable across the top of said retainer pin whereby the retainer pin is locked in the hole of the draft key;

'7. Retainer. locking meansof the character described comprising; in combination with a draft key having a retainer receiving round hole; a retainer pin or plug substantially cylindrical and having an elongated head at one end, oneside of the pin or plug being segmentally reduced; and a complementary member having one face adapted tomatch and extend parallel with the segmentally reduced side of the pin or. plug, the complementary member andsaid pin orplug being so related that independent rotary movement of the pin or member is impossible, the pin or plug and said complementary member being adapted to substantially fill the hole in the draft key, said member at its upper end and at an intermediate point being provided with laterally projecting portions whereby vertical movement of the member in the draft key'is prevented, said member having a bendable lower end normally disposed beyond the circumferential plane of the retainer pin or plug, said lower end of themember and the lower end of the pin or plug being provided with correlated surfaces adapted' to eifect interengaging relation when the pin or plug is forced into the draft key hole adjacent said member and the lower end of the latter forced toward said pin or plug.

VICTOR H. HARBERT. 

